Garden feeding and ringing recoveries...

Hello

This morning I took a wander around Scotland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate, the most interesting birds being a brood of just-fledged Chiffchaffs and two singing Spotted Flycatchers. This evening a short walk at Harrington Airfield provided views of a Grey Partridge and three Brown Hares.

Our small garden is very busy with birds currently, the most noisy being a large flock of adult and juvenile Starlings and good numbers of adult Jackdaws. Woodpigeons, Stock Doves and Collared Doves and still several Yellowhammers are coming in for scattered seed, and reasonable numbers of Goldfinches and just a few Chaffinches and Greenfinches are still feeding from the sunflower and niger feeders. The village House Sparrows are gleaning a mixture of food and Pied Wagtails, tits and Great Spotted Woodpeckers add a little more variety. Bigger birds include Carrion Crow, Magpie and the occasional visit from a Sparrowhawk.

A few more ringing recoveries have been received as follows:-

1. A Blue Tit ringed as a nestling at Stortons Pits on 22nd May 2016 was killed by a cat in St James, Northampton on or about 7th May this year. This bird probably never did stray very far from its natal area, a total of 1080 days elapsing between both records;

2. An adult female Mallard was ringed at Pitsford Reservoir on 17th August 2015 and 1348 days later, on or about 26th April this year, was apparently killed by a dog in adjacent Brixworth Country Park. This record aligns to similar data suggesting that our local Mallard do not stray particularly far;

3. A first year female Goldfinch was ringed at Hanging Houghton on 27th November 2018 and was caught again by a ringer at Damhead Farm, Carluke, South Lanarkshire (south of Glasgow) on 12th April this year. It seems that Scottish breeding Goldfinches regularly winter or pass through middle England. Carluke is 420 km NNW from Hanging Houghton, 136 days elapsing between the two records.

Regards

Neil M

Blue Tit
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Female Mallard and ducklings

Goldfinch
courtesy of John Tilly.

CES Ringing

Hello

On Monday evening I returned from an eight day tour in the West Highlands of Scotland - we saw all the main highlights of the tour which included daily sightings of Pine Marten, several Otters, both species of eagle, lots of close-up sea birds including Puffins, plenty of deer and a pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins. The Strontian American Black Duck put in a couple of guest appearances and our visit coincided with the first emergence of Chequered Skipper butterflies.

Yesterday (Tuesday) and a quick gallop around Harrington Airfield failed to identify much different there but a pair of Grey Partridge is always a treat. Common Blue, Small Heath and Orange-tip butterflies were on the wing. 

I checked the woodland around the Brampton Valley Way just south of the Kelmarsh tunnels where a singing Wood Warbler had been present at the week-end, but didn't hear or see it. On territory birds included Spotted Flycatcher, Nuthatch and Marsh Tit.

Today (Wednesday) and a trio of ringers were operating at Pitsford Reservoir in the Scaldwell Bay, the Constant Effort Session yielding 64 captures in total. These were made up of 16 Long-tailed Tits (all new birds), 6 Blue Tits, 5 Marsh Tits, 3 Great Tits, 2 Treecreepers, a Wren, 4 Dunnocks, 6 Robins, a Song Thrush, 6 Blackbirds, 3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 3 Garden Warblers, a Bullfinch and a Reed Bunting. There was a large emergence of Chimney Sweeper moths near the Ringing Hut and Beautiful Demoiselles were on the wing (a recent colonist to Pitsford).

Regards

Neil M

Shag
Treshnish Isles.

Chequered Skipper
Strontian, West Highlands.

Sunday ringing

Hello

Two teams of local ringers were in operation on Sunday (26th) working at Stortons Pits and Linford Lakes.

John Woollett and team were at Stortons and managed 39 captures of eleven species before the increasing wind strength concluded business. Nine new Reed Warblers was good and a Linnet was something of a surprise. Three nestling Reed Buntings were also ringed as well as a selection of common birds.

Down at Linford Lakes the breeze also hampered operations, particularly with tree debris (mostly willow catkins) clogging up the nets! Nevertheless it was a very productive session with 94 birds caught of an impressive 22 species. A surprise catch was an adult Common Tern! Other birds included a couple of Kingfishers, nine Blackcaps, five Garden Warblers, five Whitethroats, four Reed Warblers, four Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler, two Cetti's Warblers, six Starlings and seventeen Long-tailed Tits.

Birds noted on-site included Barn Owl, Oystercatcher and three Cuckoos.

Regards

Neil M

Common Tern.

Kingfishers.
Images courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Quiet ??

On the surface it would appear that everything has gone " quiet" but the reality is that the birds are simply getting on with breeding. In our garden both the Blue Tit and Pied Wagtail adults are very busy collecting food for their youngsters.  The Pied Wagtails are not at all put off by the dogs and literally run around them whilst they are playing.  Over the last couple of days we have been inundated with young Starlings who are extremely vocal and entertaining to watch. They have such cheeky expressions on their faces. I could watch their antics all day.
Yesterday I went on what I call a " Forest Gump" run as when I start out I have no idea of where I'm going or how long I will run for.  My route took me along the Brampton Valley Way towards Market Harborough.  When I reached the tunnels at Kelmarsh I couldn't decide whether to run through or not and whilst deliberating I heard a Wood Warbler singing in the small copse and could see it shaking as it sang from the top of a small tree. 
I decided against running through the tunnel and instead headed off to Harrington Airfield where a Grasshopper Warbler and Turtle Dove were present.   Other birds on my run included Raven, Grey Partridge, Grey Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher, Cuckoo and loads of warblers.
There are always plenty of other things to look at. There have been some stunning sunrise and sunset skies.  Plenty of butterflies around and today large numbers of Orange Tip and Brimstone.  At Harrington Airfield there are a few very fresh Common Spotted Orchid out in flower . I've been lucky enough to bump into my favourite, the Brown Hare, as well as Fox, Badger, Roe Deer and Munjac.

Regards Eleanor

Local bird ringing

Hello

John Woollett and Chris Payne were ringing at Stortons Pits today and captured a very good total of 81 birds of eighteen species which included seven species of warbler. The total was made up of three Willow Warblers, an excellent eighteen Reed Warblers (which included a bird ringed from elsewhere), three Sedge Warblers, three Blackcaps, three Garden Warblers, four Cetti's Warblers and three Whitethroats. Other birds included nine Long-tailed Tits, three Blue Tits, a Wren, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, six Blackbirds, two Song Thrushes, five Dunnocks, two Robins, six Goldfinches, a Bullfinch and eight Reed Buntings. A Cuckoo and two Hobby were seen on-site.

Down the road at Linford Lakes, four ringers led by Kenny Cramer caught 45 birds of 15 species and included 25 birds not previously ringed. The total was made up of four Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, nine Reed Warblers (including three returning birds from previous years), a Chiffchaff, four Great Tits, two Blue Tits, seven Long-tailed Tits, four Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Song Thrush, a Blackbird, a Dunnock, two Bullfinches, six Reed Buntings and a cracking male Sparrowhawk. A Cuckoo and a Hobby were noted here too.

Two more Hobby were noted between Lamport and Harrington Airfield, a Raven was seen at Kelmarsh and a Peregrine was seen over the A45 at Stanwick Pits.

Eleanor took a wander around the Titchmarsh reserve at Thrapston Pits this afternoon and amassed a reasonable list of birds which included two Hobby, two Cuckoos, a Curlew, a couple of Oystercatchers, a visual singing Nightingale and plenty of Cetti's Warblers.

A Hoopoe was reported in a field with livestock off Ditchford Lane this morning but wasn't seen again.

Regards

Neil M

Male Sparrowhawk
courtesy of Kenny Cramer.

Hobby courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

France, Pitsford and Desborough!

Hello

I arrived back on Thursday evening following a period of 16 days in the Camargue and Provence area of South France. The weather was sunny and dry but with persistent and at times extremely strong northerly winds. The last part of this period was as part of a thirteen strong gang from the Northants Bird Club and we scoured numerous sites and habitats in our search for birds, beasts and insects. There were numerous highlights and with over 160 species of birds recorded we did as well as could be expected. On top of the wildlife we were fortunate to enjoy a good hotel, great camaraderie and were able to sample traditional Camargue cuisine and wines. The photographers were kept busy and no doubt we will see in due course the fruits of their labour. In particular I would like to thank Bob Gill for his assistance in making it happen which included driving one of the mini-buses and co ordinating the picnic lunches.

Yesterday morning (Friday) and I noticed a couple of vocal Crossbills flying around the trees and gardens here at Hanging Houghton first thing in the morning but haven't seen them since so just a momentary drop in session I would think. A quick wander around Harrington Airfield didn't locate anything different and the best birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton amounted to Yellow Wagtail and Meadow Pipit on territory.

Today (Saturday) saw a wildlife event at Pitsford Reservoir as organised by the Desborough and District supporters branch of the Wildlife Trust. Several of the Pitsford volunteers and staff were on hand to provide a little guidance for the excellent turn out, and with a buffet lunch and displays thrown in it made for a very pleasant and convivial affair. Nigel Lingley and his Desborough enthusiasts were particularly generous and provided a donation towards the wild bird feeding initiative that I co-ordinate in central Northants. Thank-you all very much indeed for your support.

Thankfully the wildlife behaved and we saw interesting birds in the shape of a Black Tern and a Hobby both hawking in the Scaldwell Bay, an Oystercatcher and a Common Sandpiper, a pair of adult Tawny Owls and some very showy Spotted Flycatchers both by the Fishing Lodge and earlier I noted some in the trees next to the Sailing Club. Red Kites, Common Terns, Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings, Reed Warblers and Great Black-backed Gulls added some more variety. Butterflies included Small Copper and eventually other insects began to appear in quite sultry conditions this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

Greater Flamingo
Camargue

White Stork
Camargue.

Tawny Owl
courtesy of Chris Payne.

Spotted Flycatcher
courtesy of Jacob.

The weather has improved, sunshine and blue skies but the movement of waders, terns etc has slowed down considerably.
Over the last few days visits to Pitsford has produced Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Common Terns and a long distant view of the 2 Common Scotors which made a brief stay.
Harrington Airfield has been equally as quiet with Turtle Dove, Grasshopper Warbler, Northern Wheatear, Peregrine and Grey Partridge being the only birds of note.
Today I visited Sywell , but again all seemed quiet.  A Cettis Warbler was in full song and the tern raft busy with squabbling Common Terns and a Cormorant sitting in the middle of them !!
Not much to report from the valley below Hanging Houghton apart from Barn Owl, Grasshopper Warbler and Northern Wheatear.

Eric has been keeping an eye on Titchmarsh where the usual birds are still present. Great White Egret, Hobby, Peregrine, Cuckoo and plenty of warblers.

Regards Eleanor

Wandering Waders

The cold, wet and somewhat dreary weather conditions persist and the waders etc continue to be on the move.
During several short visits today I notched up a drake Garganey, Black and Arctic Tern, Sanderling, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Whimbrel. Ringed and Little Ringed Plover but missed Grey Plover and Bar Tailed Godwit .  Quite a list for Pitsford where the water level is high. The best places to see these waders is the dam and causeway.
The Nene Valley, especially Clifford Hill and Summer Leys, are undoubtedly the best places to see good numbers and variety of waders and terns. 
There was a Barn Owl and Grasshopper Warbler below Hanging Houghton village this evening.

Regards Eleanor

Mid Week Birds

Over the last couple of days there has been a significant movement of waders and terns visiting our reservoirs and gravel pits.  Although we might not like this cool damp weather the birds certainly do and it has provided the opportunity to witness the wonder of migration as birds seemingly fall out of the sky for a breather before lingering or heading off.
I have managed a few snatches of this during several visits to Pitsford Reservoir. Yesterday I saw my first Black Tern and Arctic Terns of the spring !!  plus an Osprey which was seen several times. I've no idea whether it was the same individual bird or several visiting birds stopping off on their way north.
Today Pitsford was much busier with birds. The number of terns changing minute by minute as more came and went. During the early part of the afternoon there were at least 12 Black Terns, 1 Arctic Tern and several Common Terns near the dam.   On the dam itself were 2 Redshank and a Common Sandpiper. Earlier a Sanderling had flown through[not seen by myself].  More Black Terns [6] were viewed from the causeway along with 2 Dunlin, Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher and a super flock of 18 Bar Tailed Godwits, not a bird that I see in such numbers at Pitsford.

I was hoping that the weather would be having the same effect on Harrington Airfield and produce a good bird, but sadly not the case. Yesterday I saw 2 Turtle Doves flying around but could only locate a single bird today. A lone Northern Wheatear and Grasshopper Warbler have been the only other birds of note.

Plenty of birds visiting our garden including 14 Yellowhammers and 2 Reed Buntings. I can't keep up with the amount of seed they are eating and currently am feeding them three times a day. The lawn has just been a mass of birds today with Pied Wagtails, Goldfinches, Starlings, Blackbirds, Jackdaws, Stock Doves, Wood Pigeon, Collared Doves, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker,Nuthatch, Crow all joining in the feeding frenzy.

Regards Eleanor

I have done very little birding over the last few days due to taking part at an agility competition with "Spot the birdie twitcher Tor" and Jaeger "pirate in the skies". Both did well !!
There are still a couple of reeling Grasshopper Warblers near to Blueberry and a Barn Owl hunting below Hanging Houghton.

Dave Francis has been ringing at Pitsford Reservoir

Well the CES season has started!  Below are the overall totals for the first visit, which includes a very few birds caught while setting up on Sunday and the real CES catch on Monday.

Species  New   Retrap      Total

Blaca      10        1              11

Bluti        5          4                9

Wren      7          0                7

Treec      2          3                5

Chiff        5          0                5

Robin      4          1                5

Blabi        4          1               5

Lotti         1          3               4

Garwa     3          1               4

Dunno    4           0               4

Bullf        3           0               3

Wilwa     0           1               1

Reebu     1           0               1

Jay           0           1               1

Total       49         16             65

The overall total was 65 captures.  The species variety is typical of the CES site, comprising as it does, wet scrub and nearby mixed woodland/plantation.

The Garwa and Blabi re-traps were both originally ringed as adults in May 2015 and are thus 5+ years old.

The Jay was originally ringed in May 2013 and is thus 7+ years old.

The remaining re-traps are more recent.

This is a good start to the season but the catches will greatly increase in a few weeks with all the juvenile birds about!

Mid Week Birds

We are continuing to attract good numbers of Yellowhammers, Goldfinch and Chaffinch to our garden plus the odd Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow.  Yesterday there were 2 Fieldfares feeding in the grass field behind our house along with several Yellow Wagtails, quite a sight to see both winter and summer migrants together.
Also yesterday I visited Harrington and was just ambling through the rough area when I came across a Hawfinch perched on the top of a bush. I don't know who was more surprised , the bird or me !!  The Hawfinch flew around calling before perching on a different bush near to the compound.  Goodness knows what it was doing there.     Other birds included a Northern Wheatear, reeling Grasshopper Warbler, Turtle Dove and Hobby.

Eric was out and about at Titchmarsh yesterday where he saw and heard good numbers of warblers with their singing being deafening at times.  A Nightingale was again in full song and sitting in full view.  This bird certainly appears to be the easiest bird to see at the moment.  Other birds included 2 or 3 Hobby, Whooper Swan and a pair of Egyptian Geese.

Very few birds seen today. There are still 2 or 3 Grasshopper Warblers reeling in the Blueberry area . Other birds seen on my walk here this afternoon included a "scruffy" Peregrine, Hobby and pair of Grey Partridge.
John Woollett undertook a ringing session at Stortons Pits today and caught 44 birds, 30 of which were new and 14 retraps.  The retrap birds included returning Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and a 5 year old Reed Bunting.

Regards Eleanor

Ringing recoveries

Hello

Not much opportunity for birding today but a couple of excursions into the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and up to Blueberry Farm provided a few birds.

The singing birds were in full voice with plenty of Skylarks, fresh-in Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats and already a few Yellow Wagtails on territory. A single singing Meadow Pipit on a field headland is all that is left of the significant population that once bred here during the set-aside days. No less than five singing Grasshopper Warblers indicates it is quite an amazing spring for them; we shall see how many will remain or are perhaps still on migration.

As usual a Barn Owl was hunting the valley this evening.

Two Ring Ouzels were on show at Newnham Hill today, two Grasshopper Warblers were 'reeling' at Harrington Airfield and a Garganey and a Whimbrel were at Summer Leys.

Recent interesting ringing recoveries from Northants Ringing Group activities are as follows:-

A first year Blackbird was ringed at Holme Bird Observatory, North Norfolk on 29th Feb 2016 and turned up at Astcote, South Northants on 3rd April 2019 when caught by John Woollett. This bird will be four years old if it survives to the summer and is assumed to have originated from the continent.

A Cetti's Warbler was caught and ringed in the West Mids on 4th November 2015 and was caught again at Stortons Pits, Northampton on 14th April this year when assessed as being an adult female. 1257 days had elapsed between ringing and re-capture, the bird moving 55km in a ESE direction.

A juvenile Chiffchaff was ringed at Stanford Reservoir on 25th July 2018 and was caught again at Stortons Pits on 14th April this year, 263 days later. Although only 24km between the ringing and recovery site, it is likely that this bird has travelled a significant distance during the relevant period.

A young male Goldfinch was caught and ringed at Astcote on 30th October 2017 and was sadly found dead floating in a pond on 15th April 2019 at Old Pool Bank, Pool in Wharfedale, West Yorkshire. 532 days elapsed between the two records with the bird travelling 196km in a NNW direction.

Regards

Neil M

Blackbird courtesy
of Cathy Ryden.

Cetti's Warbler.

Chiffchaff.

Goldfinch courtesy
of John Tilly.

Grasshopper Warblers

Hello

Some ringing at Linford Lakes this morning provided an excellent 65 captures of twenty species including eight species of warbler. The total was made up of 6 Wrens, 2 Robins (including a juvenile), 6 Dunnocks, 2 Blackbirds, a Song Thrush, 3 Blue Tits, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Treecreepers, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Bullfinches, a Goldfinch, 4 Reed Buntings, 5 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler, a Reed Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 15 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats and 2 Garden Warblers.

A ringing session at Harrington Airfield was much more modest and provided just 36 captures of eleven species including four species of warbler. The total was made up of 4 Blackbirds, a Song Thrush, 3 Dunnocks, a Chaffinch, 4 Yellowhammers, a Blue Tit, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 12 Willow Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler and a Whitethroat. Four of the re-trap Willow Warblers were first ringed there in June 2017, three of them as adults and one as a juvenile.

Other birds on-site included a male Wheatear, at least one singing Lesser Whitethroat, two 'reeling' Grasshopper Warblers and a 'purring' Turtle Dove.

Two singing Grasshopper Warblers were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today and two more 'reelers' were located at Sywell Country Park, this latter site also hosting six Common Terns, a Cetti's Warbler and a Grey Wagtail.

A fine Ring Ouzel was located at Newnham Hill near Daventry today, another Grasshopper Warbler was showing well at the car park at Summer Leys reserve and at least one Nightingale continued to sing at Thrapston Pits. This evening Phil Horsnail watched a female Hen Harrier quartering ground near to Polebrook Airfield, the bird disappearing over the old airfield at about 6pm. Two singing Nightingales were on the private reserve there yesterday afternoon (no public access).

Regards

Neil M

Juvenile Robin
courtesy of Kenny Cramer.

Grasshopper Warbler
at Summer Leys courtesy
of Dave Jackson.

Birds of Sunday

Hello

There were plenty of new Common Whitethroats in at Harrington Airfield today and other birds included a Turtle Dove 'purring' briefly, a 'reeling' Grasshopper Warbler and a male Wheatear. Tomorrow there is a ringing session planned at this site and access to the old airstrip and bunkers is restricted. Access to the footpaths and concrete track remain unaffected.

An Osprey was seen at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon and other birds included two Oystercatchers and two Swifts.

Peter Finden's efforts at Summer Leys today provided views of two Garganey, a Hobby, two Swifts and a Grasshopper Warbler. Two Mediterranean Gulls were seen in flight by Matt Hazleton flying through Summer Leys towards Mary's Lake.

Two Nightingales were singing and showing well at Thrapston Pits, again either side of the river at the metal bridge that connects Town Lake with the Titchmarsh reserve. A Swift was also present.

A Barn Owl was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this evening

Regards

Neil M

Common Swift
courtesy of Jacob.

Common Whitethroat
courtesy of Jacob.

Turtle Dove
courtesy of Robin.

Northants Bird Club meeting 1st May

Hello

This coming Wednesday (1st May) will be the next indoor meeting of the Northants Bird Club when the club chairman Bob Gill will provide a presentation on the wildlife of Mallorca. Bob and his family have been regular visitors to this Mediterranean island for a number of years and he will be presenting some digital images detailing some of the wildlife to be found there.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm at the Fishing Lodge, Pitsford Reservoir with free parking next to the lodge and an overflow facility nearby next to the fishing boats. The Fishing Lodge is situated off the Brixworth road outside the village of Holcot. Hot drinks and biscuits will be available during the evening and members and non members alike are very welcome!

Regards

Neil M

Great Reed Warbler.

Clouded Yellow butterfly.

A cool and windy Saturday

Hello

A rather cold and very windy day suppressed the activities of many birds locally but there were at least a few birds on show.

A wander around the Blueberry Farm complex near Maidwell was good for finding a male Common Redstart sheltering in the comparative shelter of a hedge at the bottom of The Hill field. Nearby there was a singing Grasshopper Warbler, defying the unpleasant conditions. 

A Peregrine was seen in flight at Lamport and a visit to the south end of Pitsford Reservoir this evening provided sightings of four Oystercatchers and a couple of Common Terns were keeping an Arctic Tern company in the Pintail Bay.

Summer Leys at Earls Barton Pits hosted a Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit, four Ringed Plovers and two Stoats, all sightings courtesy of David Parker. Ken Prouse saw the Great White Egret at Daventry Country Park this morning but it seems that yesterday's Black-necked Grebes had departed overnight.

Regards

Neil M

Common Redstart.

Oystercatcher.

Arctic Tern.

Titchmarsh ramble

Hello

A walk around Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston Pits today (26th) provided views of the long staying Whooper Swan on Elinor Lake, two Pink-footed Geese in the adjacent wheat field, two Egyptian Geese, three or four Little Egrets, a Hobby, at least one showy Cuckoo, an Oystercatcher, two Nightingales singing either side of the River Nene by the metal bridge that connects Town Lake to the reserve and large numbers of common warblers of eight species. Butterflies included Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green veined White, Orange-tip, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell and there were large numbers of blooming Primroses.

Eleanor's visit to Harrington Airfield was fruitful with a Ring Ouzel again at the northern end of the rough section near Bunker Three, a Cuckoo and two reeling Grasshopper Warblers. A Turtle Dove and a Peregrine were seen earlier in the day.

Please note that bird ringing operations there this coming Monday will restrict access on to the old airstrip and bunker areas but access can still be obtained to the public footpaths and concrete track. Please let me know if you would like to see this process in action.

Jacob counted a whopping 65 Blackcaps on the reserve at Pitsford Reservoir today as part of the on-going Common Bird Census on the site and the dam hosted a couple of Oystercatchers and a Common Sandpiper this evening.

Gary had a great find at Daventry Country Park today with four fine summer plumage Black-necked Grebes (and a Great White Egret later) and other birds included a Bar-tailed Godwit and two Common Sandpipers at Clifford Hill Pits.

Regards

Neil M

Nightingale.

Cuckoo courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Grasshopper Warbler.

Provence and return...

Hello

I'm just back from an eight day tour of the Provence region in France, the last two days being spent in the Camargue. It might have been the south of France but the weather over the Easter week-end was definitely warmer here in sunny Northants! Nevertheless we witnessed some interesting wildlife which for a change included some good mammals (Wild Boar, Chamois and others) and smart birds such as Citril Finch, all four European vultures and good views of Red-footed Falcon, Montagu's Harrier, Little Bustard and flocks of Wood Sandpipers and Spotted Redshanks as well of course the pink army of Greater Flamingos!

On arrival back home this afternoon I was met with several Yellowhammers feeding on the lawn including the very bright males that always look good but positively shine at this time of the year!

Yesterday (24th) and Eleanor's visit to Harrington Airfield confirmed the arrival back of a Turtle Dove (one of the very few summering sites locally), the male Common Redstart still, two Wheatears, a Cuckoo and two reeling Grasshopper Warblers.

Today (25th) and the county continues to enjoy some pretty good wader passage with birds such as Turnstone, Ruff, Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwit and Common Sandpiper all on show in the Nene Valley and with Little Terns putting in an appearance at Thrapston Pits and Boddington Reservoir and a Black Tern at Clifford Hill Pits. A pair of Garganey remain at Summer Leys NR - a long-staying drake has been here since early spring.

Pitsford Reservoir (sometimes the poor relation to the Nene Valley in the spring) supported sightings of Osprey, Common Sandpiper and three Arctic Terns this evening.

Regards

Neil M

Griffon Vulture.

Wild Boar.

Eurasian Scop's Owl.

Catch Up

It has been a rather busy week which has left very little time for birding.  As the week progressed and the temperatures rose due to the change of the wind direction to the south then so did the numbers of migrants increase.
A Common Restart was present at Harrington Airfield earlier in the week and despite several visits there it has been quiet. But today saw a few new birds, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, one of which was showing well in the roadside bushes a short distance from the main entrance. There were 2 Northern Wheatears around the bunkers plus a Sedge Warbler, Willow Warblers, Yellow Wagtails and a pair of Grey Partridge.
This morning I had an early morning wander around Blueberry area and there was a Common Redstart, Cuckoo and 2 Grasshopper Warblers, one of which was sitting out in full view.   I have noticed that the first arrivals tend to sit perched out in the open.   Other birds included Grey Partridge , Tree Sparrows and 10 Fieldfares.
We still have plenty of Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings visiting our garden and today there was a superb male Brambling.  A Cuckoo was calling from a nearby hedgerow and it was still calling this evening from the same place !!!

Yesterday [19th] Eric Graham visited Titchmarsh Reserve, Thrapston and had a good selection of birds. Pink Footed Geese and adult Whooper Swan in a field behind Aldwincle Marsh.  3 singing Nightingales by the footbridge, 2 adult Little Gulls , Great White Egret and plenty of warblers including Garden Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, Sedge Warblers, Cettis Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaffs.

Some of you will have met one of our dogs Tor who often accompanies me whilst I am out birding and/or running.  He also competes in agility under his posh name " Spot the birdie twitcher Tor", quite apt as he has a good birding list !!  Yesterday he took part in the Rescue Dogs Agility Final where he put on an awesome performance earning him a 2nd place in jumping, a 1st place in agility and an overall 1st place for the day.  He has been putting his paws up today !!!

Regards Eleanor 

Today has been a strange day where I have literally bumped into some good birds whilst out and about doing chores. However the day started on a very quiet note with nothing seen on my early walk followed by a run.
I headed to Pitsford Reservoir with my young pup in tow and decided to walk part of the bigside with her hoping to meet lots of runners, cyclists, people etc so that she gets used to them.  I was not disappointed with the lovely weather bringing everyone out.  Of course I took the opportunity to do some birding and I was amazed to see a Great Northern Diver present just beyond the Pintail Bay. Whilst scanning I picked up an Osprey coming in over the dam . I didn't see it catch anything but it was certainly interested.
Back home and a quick change before heading out but I was side tracked by a huge flock, approx 400 strong, of Fieldfares feeding in the field behind our house.
Early afternoon whilst visiting relatives in Sywell I heard a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling well from small spinney close to the road.
Then it was time to feed the birds at Harrington Airfield. The rough area/bunkers was quiet so I decided to complete a circuit taking in the main track.  I came across a male Ring Ouzel in the bushes around the shooting wall and a further two birds flew over. 
I finished the day with a Barn Owl hunting below the village but no sign of the Great Grey Shrike today.

Regards Eleanor

Woodlark!

Hello

The Hanging Houghton Great Grey Shrike was back along the brook in the Brampton Valley below the village this morning and a Peregrine was coasting around the Blueberry Farm area. Nearby the bare earth field that has been set for new grass alongside the A508 just south of the village continues to attract birds, particularly Fieldfares which numbered at least 900 today.

A singing Brambling was at the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station at Pitsford Reservoir this morning and a Common Sandpiper was on the causeway. A look around at the dam end of the reservoir provided the usual Yellow-legged Gull and a Common Tern and two Common Sandpipers on the dam itself. A couple more Bramblings were singing in the trees at the Sailing Club.

Small numbers of passerines feeding on the grass below the dam included a band of Meadow Pipits, a Wheatear and several singing Skylarks. One of these Skylarks almost drowned out the call of a Woodlark as it undulated past David Arden and I and flew strongly off towards the Moulton Grange Bay. It kept low in the strong easterly breeze and continued to call as it disappeared from view. I think the only previous record for Pitsford was a well-watched bird in a field next to the Scaldwell Bay probably three decades or more ago!

Regards

Neil M

Common Sandpiper.

Fieldfare courtesy
of Jacob.

Woodlark courtesy
of Robin.

Stortons ringing

Hello

It seemed a quieter day for birds in the county today, or maybe it's the local birders fed up with the cold northerly winds!

A ringing session at Stortons Pits today recorded -3C temperatures on arrival but the small band soon put up the nets and caught some quality birds consisting of five Chiffchaffs, six Blackcaps, an excellent six Cetti's Warblers, two Dunnocks, two Wrens, two Treecreepers, two Great Tits, a Song Thrush, two Blackbirds and three Reed Buntings.

One of the Chiffchaffs and one of the Cetti's Warblers were bearing rings from ringing efforts elsewhere, no doubt we will find out from where and when in due course.

Harrington Airfield doesn't seem to have attracted a notable bird for a long while now and today was little different with the best on show being three Grey Partridges, a Swallow and a Yellow Wagtail.

This evening and the Great Grey Shrike was relocated back to it's original hedge and field at Hanging Houghton, about half a mile west of the Brampton Valley Way.

Regards

Neil M

Reed Bunting at
Stortons Pits today
courtesy of Chris Payne.

Great Grey Shrike
near Hanging Houghton
today.

Pitsford CBC

Hello

The cold northerly winds we are experiencing seem to be blocking the passage of birds seeking to move north and east, today providing examples where these birds are amassing and awaiting a conducive air flow.

The Great Grey Shrike still present near Hanging Houghton today should be on its way any day now but is probably one such bird waiting for good weather before migrating back to the breeding grounds.

I conducted a Common Bird Census on the reserve at Pitsford Reservoir today beginning at 6am and finishing at 1pm. It was cold for the first couple of hours but the sunshine made it pleasant to be out and about.

A single Willow Tit was found in the Scaldwell Bay opposite the ringing hut and Marsh Tits were pretty widespread. Two Nuthatch territories were in the same places as last time and in excess of twenty Bramblings were feeding and singing in tall trees behind the Bird Club hide in the Scaldwell Bay and at Christies Copse in the Walgrave Bay. At least one Lesser Redpoll was attracted to the feeders in Christies Copse and the singing Cetti's Warbler remained on territory nearby. Blackcaps are aplenty now and a few Willow Warblers were singing at three spots. The pair of Oystercatchers were joined by three other birds today. The white Peacock first observed last year was in the Walgrave Bay, the occupied Cormorant nest count has now reached forty-five and various colonies of Ashy Mining Bees were active on the tracks around the reserve.

This afternoon a large Fieldfare flock in excess of the 745 birds counted were feeding on a bare earth rolled field next to the A508 just south of Hanging Houghton. I watched them for some time and despite the dry conditions they were successfully pulling lobworms from the manicured top soil. Plenty of other birds were finding bits to eat in the field and included about six Redwings and a female Brambling.

Birders working the lakes and vegetation at Earls Barton pits today saw an overflying Osprey, the drake Garganey still, fifty Fieldfares, a Great White Egret, a Dunlin, a Common Tern, an early singing Reed Warbler, a House Martin and a Yellow Wagtail.

Regards

Neil M

It was sometimes rather
noisy at Pitsford today!

Muntjac Deer.

Peacock!